Page 48

Forest NSW Annual Report 2012

In summary, multiple use production forests: ■■ produce some GHG emissions from each scenario resulted in production forests
■■ provide substitutes for more GHG providing a better GHG outcome.machinery used during harvesting
operations; and
intensive building products such as steel Although conservation forests have more
and concrete; ■■ produce some GHG emissions when carbon standing in the forest, the multi-faceted
timber products finally enter landfill.
■■ produce wood products that continue to benefits of production forests mean they have
store carbon off site; In addition, production forests minimise the the capacity to abate more GHG emissions
■■ produce residues that can be used to demand for imported timber grown using over time. The results suggest that a long term,
generate renewable energy (bioenergy), unsustainable, GHG intensive practices. evidence-based approach that considers the
displacing fossil fuels; While there are differences in production whole carbon cycle is required to reduce GHG
■■ store carbon on site (in the forest); forests due to species mix and product type, emissions.
The potential benefit of production forests in storing more carbon
400 361
350
300
1
ha)
/
Tonnes of carbon per hectare (C
250
storage
Carbon
200 169
166
Substitution
150
122 Carbon in wood
100 Bioenergy
Forest carbon
50 Machinery emissions
Landfill emissions
0
emissions
GHG
-50 Production Conservation Production Conservation
forest forest forest forest
North coast South coast
scenario scenario
1 Absolute values as at the year 200.
CASE STORY
Going Bush program throws a spotlight on forest industry
Forests NSW staff from across the business Harvesting operations in the north coast Hardwoods, other Forests NSW customers
participated in the fifth series of the entertaining around Coffs Harbour were featured with profiled in the series included Weathertex
Going Bush program, which screened on Forests NSW staff stepping viewers through near Newcastle and Hurford Hardwoods in
regional and pay TV across Australia in early the work done to survey for animals and northern NSW. These companies explained
2012. Beginning in Tasmania as an initiative of protect threatened species before harvesting how they have responded to challenges
Forestry Tasmania, this program is an informative operations begin. in the forestry industry with Weathertex
and engaging television show about Australia’s Also highlighted was the Bermagui producing an innovative natural cladding
forests, the people who work in them and the Fishermans Wharf, where timber from the product and Hurfords growing into a
industries they support. Bermagui State Forest was milled at Blue vertically integrated operation which will
Forests NSW featured in several segments. Ridge Hardwoods in Eden, and has become be able to harvest timber from their own
One section focused on the water quality an icon building for the South Coast town. It plantations in years to come.
monitoring studies that have been under way stands on the water’s edge near the fishing The program also visited South East Fibre
for decades on the south coast near Eden. boat marina and co-op building, and is home Exports Pty Ltd woodchip plant near Eden,
Staff from the water quality monitoring unit to a popular restaurant, cafes and other Australia’s oldest woodchip plant, where it is
explained their work, an often forgotten part of commercial businesses. looking to the future with plans for using its
forestry. This work can be crucial to ensure the Going Bush is an industry-wide initiative own waste for power generation in addition
ongoing health of the forest, with research work with 15 companies from around the country to a plant making pellets for domestic use.
demonstrating the negligible negative effect joining together to tell their part of the This program allowed us to tell a small part of
forestry has on water quality over time. forestry story. In addition to Blue Ridge the story of managing State forests in NSW.
48 Forests NSW Annual Report 2011–12 Social, Environmental and Economic Performance